Description
Celebrate the holidays with this festive Christmas Tree Cheese Ball, a delightful and easy-to-make appetizer featuring a blend of creamy cheeses and vibrant vegetable garnish arranged to resemble a decorated Christmas tree.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 x 8 ounce (225g) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ each yellow and red bell peppers, diced
- 1 tablespoon pistachios, roughly chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts (optional)
- Thick slice of cheese for star topper (cheddar recommended)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together the softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese until smooth and well combined with no lumps. Add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Beat again until all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
- Transfer the cheese mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Wrap it tightly and shape the mixture into a cone or Christmas tree shape. Refrigerate for at least 2 to 3 hours, or preferably overnight.
- Remove the chilled cheese cone from the refrigerator and place it onto a serving plate. Lightly press some of the extra chopped parsley onto the surface. Dot pine nuts around the tree to create a string light effect. Press diced yellow and red bell peppers and roughly chopped pistachios into the cheese to simulate ornaments.
- Use the remaining parsley to fill in any visible gaps. Cut a star shape from a thick slice of cheese and secure it to the top of the tree with a toothpick.
- Present your Christmas Tree Cheese Ball with an assortment of crackers, slices of bread, or sturdy chips for dipping and spreading.
Notes
- Perfect for Christmas parties.
- Allow the cheese ball to chill for best flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 158
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg